Jim Curtin gave minutes to a lot of players that have not been regulars on the pitch this season when his team faced Eintracht Frankfurt in an international friendly Saturday evening. Let's take a quick look at who played for the Union and how they fared.
In the first half, Warren Creavalle supported Derrick Jones and Anthony Fontana in the center. Creavalle was reliable as ever breaking up Frankfurt attacks, and the homegrown players beside him showed both their promise and current limitations.
Derrick Jones was heavily involved throughout, but his ability to control the match remains a work in progress. As Jim Curtin highlighted in his post-match presser, Jones tends to close his body when receiving the ball, almost as if he's waiting for and relishing contact. Slightly better movement, often away from a play, could provide Jones with the extra second of space he needs to turn forward and progress play. All that said, the big midfielder's second half goal was a wonderful encapsulation of his potential. Jones read the play well, stepping in front of his man to intercept a poor clearance. He kept his head up for options as he drove toward net and finished with composure.
Both Jones and Anthony Fontana are on the cusp of becoming full-fledged MLS-level starters, but it's also clear that they have areas of growth that can make them more dangerous in the coming months and years. Fontana struggled mightily to get on the ball from his attacking midfield position, continuing a theme from recent showings with Bethlehem Steel. Fontana's comfort on the ball and willingness to try and turn to play forward, embody the type of player the Union want in the center of the pitch. It's the positioning and movement that remain to click as the teenager transitions from a deeper role to a No. 10 position. Often, Fontana's response to being excluded from play is to move toward the ball instead of trying to find more space amongst defenders. This limits the time he has when he does receive a pass, and it means he cannot show the full range of his considerable abilities.
On the wings, Fabian Herbers was lively when involved, but the Union's tendency to go up the left meant he did not have as many chances as Marcus Epps. Herbers' movement from the wing is not as dynamic as when he plays up front for Bethlehem Steel. At the USL level, Herbers has been in beast mode recently, and he needs to find a way to take that level of dominance to the wing if he is going to force his way back into the Union first team. Much like Fontana, the ability is there and it's simply a matter of tapping into it.
Epps showed once more that he can be a terror when given space to attack defenders, and it was intriguing to see how the Union can become a more left-sided team with an offensively-inclined fullback and direct winger that likes to carry the ball. Philly has tilted to the right for much of the season, but with Jones making more side-to-side movements than Bedoya, they were able to use the left as a foundation for attacks on Saturday. The trouble was linking back to the center once the ball was on the left, and that may be where Fontana can watch tape and find gaps to become that path out of a crowded zone.
Up front, Jay Simpson was very lively and involved, and his workrate challenging for anything in the air was admirable. Although Simpson continues to struggle to create space for himself, one could see how he could be a useful part of a gameday XI when the Union expect to control possession.
In back, Olivier Mbaizo's first appearance in a Union shirt was a mixed bag, but one with plenty of positives. The fullback was an aggressive passer and strong defender when his positioning was correct.
Richie Marquez was exactly as you remember him: Fast but not quick, reliable when making the safe play, and a good vocal presence. Marquez had one poor pass, but Curtin pointed to him as a standout performer in his return from injury.
When the subs came, they brought a change of pace to the offense and, in Cory Burke, a bit of feistiness. Burke went toe-to-toe with Frankfurt's large defenders after a number of physical tackles as the second half wore on and both teams got a bit ornery. Around Burke, David Accam and Michee Ngalina both showed well, with Ngalina a constant threat up the right, just as he was against Richmond earlier this season. What makes Ngalina such a useful player right now is that he fearlessly attacks defenders but also shows a willingness to get back defensively. That two-way game, though still rough around the edges, points to a player who can add nuance to his movements working with Brendan Burke in Bethlehem and become a useful part of the Union organization going forward.
Accam looked confident on the ball, which is a great sign in a season full of challenges. With Ilsinho sidelined for Saturday's match, Accam may be in line to see serious minutes against Orlando City Wednesday. The Lions remain low on top-end defenders, so the ability to beat men on the dribble will be a huge asset for Philly. If Accam shows up with a point to prove, he could be a difference-maker.
And finally, it must be noted that Lord Helmet, John McCarthy, absolutely earned his shutout. In the second half, Frankfurt found space for some dangerous shots in the box. McCarthy's standout moment was a double save in which he positioned himself well to stop a shot below the penalty spot then quickly moved over to push away the rebound. It was an effort play, but also a heady one from the goalie Philly will trust to man the pipes if (knocks on wood) anything happens to Andre Blake this season.
After the match, Jim Curtin said Warren Creavalle was hit in the temple but didn't sustain a concussion, so the Union look to have gotten out of the friendly match without any injury worries. They will wait to hear how Ilsinho continues his recovery as they prepare for a big quarterfinal with Orlando City SC, who knocked off Toronto at home on Saturday but looked very vulnerable after the first 50 minutes of the match.
The Union will welcome the Purple Lions to Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday, July 18 at 7PM EST.
